Console wars, PS4 for the win?

Mags · April 06, 2013, 11:58:56 AM

If this is MS's thinking, all worship Sony, winners of the console wars.

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/snarky_microsoft_director_tweets_support_always-_consoles2013

Another ahole that doesn't realize the majority of North America (and world) doesn't have reliable high speed internet. And that DRM's don't work.

Lazybones · April 06, 2013, 01:32:27 PM

MS has already posted an official response stating his opinions are not that of the company.

Tom · April 06, 2013, 01:45:56 PM

Quote from: Lazybones on April 06, 2013, 01:32:27 PM
MS has already posted an official response stating his opinions are not that of the company.

They all say that though don't they.

they didn't actually say anything in their response. Not even a denial.

Lazybones · April 06, 2013, 03:12:49 PM

Quote from: Tom on April 06, 2013, 01:45:56 PM
Quote from: Lazybones on April 06, 2013, 01:32:27 PM
MS has already posted an official response stating his opinions are not that of the company.
They all say that though don't they.

they didn't actually say anything in their response. Not even a denial.

Before getting too interested in the PS4 I want to see what the hardware and controller actually turn out like.. Still not sure what happened to all those USB and dual HDMI ports the PS3 was supposed to have... O and the boomerang controller that became something more normal by launch.

The Xbox 360 has been the top selling console for more than 14monts strait now... It will actually be interesting what happens when things roll over to the next gen..

Mags · April 06, 2013, 06:26:44 PM

Quote from: Tom on April 06, 2013, 01:45:56 PM
Quote from: Lazybones on April 06, 2013, 01:32:27 PM
MS has already posted an official response stating his opinions are not that of the company.
They all say that though don't they.

they didn't actually say anything in their response. Not even a denial.

I like Jack1982's response

Quote"The views of their creative director are not reflective of those of the company? Um...isn't that kind of a huge problem considering he's the CREATIVE DIRECTOR of the company?!?!"

Mr. Analog · April 06, 2013, 11:03:35 PM

I feel apprehensive about this new batch of consoles, watching Nintendo flounder over the last few months has been painful. I guess we'll see after E3 when I suspect specs will finally be released.

Lazybones · April 06, 2013, 11:31:50 PM

I want to see MS pull out some of that crazy lab stuff they have patents on like the full room projection system etc.

Mr. Analog · April 07, 2013, 12:15:34 PM

True dat

Lazybones · April 08, 2013, 08:30:16 AM

Of course MS could just piss off all the developers.
http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2013/04/sony-indies/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Findex+%28Wired%3A+Top+Stories%29

Melbosa · April 08, 2013, 08:39:49 AM

I too am hesitant for the next console round. PC Gaming is re-surging so much I think I might be limiting my next console to just one purchase - and while I think the Always On from M$ is probably bogus, they're have been some rumours of other frightening "things" about the new two consoles that have me waiting for release. I might not even pre-order one (and I know that is shocking for me).

I know with both having BluRay players now, the need for two consoles is dying for me. I must admit, while I have both an XBox 360 and PS3 at home, I game a lot more the XBox and prefer it for cross platform games. Its the controller that does it for me; the PS3 one cramps my hands badly. If it wasn't for the PS3 exclusive games I probably wouldn't even buy a game for it and use it primarily for my BluRay player.

Mr. Analog · April 08, 2013, 08:43:58 AM

Microsoft already has a problem with indie dev, they have a great platform for development, awesome and accessible tools however the APPROVAL process for getting stuff onto Live is crazy.

One of my fave games, Awesomenauts, has had a lot of content added for PC but not XBox (the same with Minecraft) the primary reason is that it takes a long time to get green lit for content updates AND it costs money. So it takes a long time to reach your customers and it may cost you out of pocket to do it, this is going to turn developers away.

It should be noted that CAPCOM has been criticized for having on-disc DLC, part of the reason this was was so that they could bypass the long testing/pay cycle for new content (it horribly backfired for them but it shows how broke the system is).

When it comes down to it, all that matters is having a lot of quality titles, if your game console can't offer that then customers will go somewhere else.

Thorin · April 08, 2013, 11:09:46 AM

I think one of the sticking points for a new console in my house is going to be price. $350 for the deluxe Wii U is kinda pricey for me. I imagine PS4 and Xbox720 are going to be $400+. Meanwhile many games will still be available for Wii and Xbox360, plus mobile gaming is getting much bigger than console gaming, plus there's always Minecraft and Freeciv to fall back to on the computer

Mr. Analog · April 08, 2013, 11:54:27 AM

I think there are a lot of factors that may end up making consoles (as we know them today at least) less relevant. I feel like we aren't that far from just having cheap gaming PCs hooked up to TVs with access to TONS of great cheap games rather than having to pick a particular console because of software lock-in

I've actually been looking at getting a Wii-U as a Wii replacement, but the price (even when I can easily afford it) makes me somewhat wary. If they can get down to the $250 sweet spot and ship with a decent controller it would be a lot more attractive (to me at least)

Thorin · April 08, 2013, 12:09:56 PM

Lets say the new consoles are $400, could you build a decent gaming rig to hook to the TV that lets you game from the couch via controller within 150% of that price (so $600)? Keep in mind keyboard+mouse isn't all that easy to use when reclined in your La-Z-Boy.

Now there's probably a large minority of gamers that are tech-savvy enough to build one of these for a decent price and hook them up and install Steam/whatever, but what about all the parents of kids that want to play video games? I think there'll be a market for consoles for quite a while yet because of all the non-techie people wanting a simple plug-n-play solution.

And if someone comes up with a gaming rig that has everything included and is simple plug-n-play, well, that's basically a console again then.

Mr. Analog · April 08, 2013, 12:15:05 PM

Yeah, but that's my point, you can buy an average laptop, plug an XBox controller to it, grab Steam and start playing games right now if you wanted.

PCs are more flexible 'cause at least if I did want to play a game with a keyboard and mouse I have that option.

At this stage the only things a console brings to the table are:
-Unique input options
-Exclusive titles